Hydrangea plant named ‘SMHSMAKF2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Hydrangea cultivar named ‘SMHSMAKF2’ is disclosed, characterized by a large lace cap inflorescence. Plants are compact, re-bloom and have a distinctive hardiness, with frost resistant flower buds. The new variety is a Hydrangea, normally produced as an ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hydrangea paniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘SMHSMAKF2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Hydrangea cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Timothy Wood, in Grand Haven, Mich. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Hydrangea varietiesfor garden use. The open pollination resulting in this new variety wasmade during 2004.

The seed parent is the unpatented commercial variety Hydrangeapaniculata ‘Maiko’. The pollen parent is unknown, as it was an openpollination breeding program. The new variety was identified as apotentially interesting selection June of 2007, at a greenhouse in GrandHaven, Mich.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SMHSMAKF2’ by softwoodcuttings was first performed in July of 2007, at commercial greenhousein Grand Haven, Mich. Subsequent propagation has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type inmultiple successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMHSMAKF2’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SMHSMAKF2’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SMHSMAKF2’ as a new and distinct Hydrangeacultivar:

-   1. Large lace cap inflorescence.-   2. Compact growth habit.-   3. Hardy, frost resistant flower buds.-   4. Re-blooming habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMHSMAKF2’ are similar to plants of seedparent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of thenew cultivar ‘SMHSMAKF2’ differ in the following:

-   1. The new variety produces a larger inflorescence.-   2. The new variety produces bright pink flower, the seed parent    produces lighter colored lavender to pink flowers.

Pollen parent unknown as this is product of open pollination.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SMHSMAKF2’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Hydrangeapaniculata ‘MAK20’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,820. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SMHSMAKF2’differs in the following:

-   1. The comparator has a smaller inflorescence.-   2. Plants of the new variety are larger

‘SMHSMAKF2’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Hydrangeapaniculata ‘SMNMAKTSR’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,672. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘SMHSMAKF2’differs in the following:

-   1. The comparator has approximately double the amount of fertile and    sterile flowers per inflorescence than ‘SMHSMAKF2’.-   2. The new variety has sepals colored Red-Purple 67C at maturity,    comparator has sepals colored near 63A with the base colored near    Yellow-Green 145C and 144D at maturity.-   3. This comparator has foliage with a dark margin, flushed    Greyed-Purple 187A, foliage of the new variety does not have this    dark flush.

‘SMHSMAKF2’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Hydrangeapaniculata ‘MAKD’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,842. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics, however ‘SMHSMAKF2’differs in the following:

-   1. The new variety has sepals colored Red-Purple 67C at maturity,    this comparator has sepals colored near Violet-Blue 92A and 92B.-   2. Plants of the new variety have a larger habit; this comparator is    very compact.-   3. The comparator has approximately double the amount of fertile    flowers per inflorescence than ‘SMHSMAKF2’.    New cultivar has more intense pink flowers; comparator has lighter    pink flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘SMHSMAKF2” grown in a field, in Grand Haven, Mich.,USA. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 3 years.

FIG. 2 illustrates typical foliage and inflorescence of the new variety.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The 2015Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘SMHSMAKF2’ plants grown in a field, in GrandHaven, Mich., USA. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18°C. to 27° C. daytime and 5° to 10° C. at night. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Measurementswere taken during May of 2016.

-   Botanical classification: Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHSMAKF2.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 18 days at approximately 24°    C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plants: Approximately 60 days at    approximately 24° C.-   Root description: Thin to thick, moderate to dense, freely root    branching, fleshy. Color is white and brown.-   Propagation method: Softwood cuttings.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 1 to 2 years.-   Pot size: 1 gallon.-   Growth habit: Flowering perennial shrub, or sub-shrub.-   Overall plant shape: Mounded.-   Height: 35 cm.-   Plant spread: 43 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Plant vigor: Good.-   Branching characteristics: Upright/outward basal branches, some    pinching required.-   Length of lateral branches: 19.2 cm.-   Number of lateral branches: 11.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 4.5 mm.-   Lateral branch shape: Rounded.-   Lateral branch strength: Good.-   Internode length: Average 6.7 cm.-   Branch color: Immature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146C. Mature: Near RHS    Yellow-Green 146C.-   Branch aspect: 10-45°.-   Branch texture: Pubescent with moderate quantity of lenticels.    Lenticels 2 to 4 mm, colored near Greyed-Purple 187B.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Average length.—12.3 cm.        -   Average width.—7.1 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Serrate to crenate.        -   Texture and appearance of top surface.—Rugose, leathery.        -   Texture and appearance of bottom surface.—Leathery,            prominent veins.        -   Leaf pubescence.—Occurs on upper and lower surfaces, sparse            along veins.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 135A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 131A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 137D.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate-arculate. Venation color upper side:            Near RHS Green 138B. Venation color under side: Near            Yellow-Green 1444B.-   Petiole:    -   -   Average length.—1.6 cm.        -   Diameter.—3.5 mm.        -   Color.—Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-green 144A. Under side:            Near RHS Yellow-green 144A.        -   Texture upper side.—Smooth.        -   Texture under side.—Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period:    -   -   Natural season.—Mid-Summer through Fall.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Type.—Lacecap.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Fertile flowers:            Average 79. Sterile Flowers: Average 7.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.        -   Fragrance.—Mild and slightly sweet.-   Panicle:    -   -   Shape.—Flattened half sphere.        -   Height.—6.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—13.5 cm.-   Sterile flower:    -   -   Bud shape.—Elongated orbicular.        -   Bud length.—Average 12 mm.        -   Bud diameter.—Average 9 mm.        -   Bud color.—Near RHS Green 142D.        -   Flower aspect.—Outward.        -   Flower shape.—Irregularly round.        -   Flower length.—Average 6.9 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—Average 6.9 cm.        -   Flower depth.—0.9 cm.-   Sterile flower petals:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Length of petal.—3.2 mm.        -   Width of petal.—2.8 mm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of petal.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal base.—Obtuse.        -   Petal number.—4 to 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, glabrous, upper and under side.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green            151D flushed Red-Purple 63D. Upper surface at maturity: Near            RHS Yellow-Green 151D flushed Red-Purple 63D. Under surface            at first opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151D flushed            Red-Purple 63D. Under surface at maturity: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 151D flushed Red-Purple 63D. Upper surface            fading to: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151D flushed Red-Purple            63D. Lower surface fading to: Near RHS Yellow-Green 151D            flushed Red-Purple 63D.-   Sterile flower sepal:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled, double whorled.        -   Number.—5 to 10.        -   Shape.—Wide deltate.        -   Tip.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Irregularly dentate and undulate.        -   Length.—Outer whorl 3.6 cm, inner whorl 2.5 cm.        -   Width.—Outer whorl 3.6 cm, inner whorl 2.2 cm.        -   Texture, upper.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Green 142D.            Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple 67C. Under            surface at first opening: Near RHS Green 142D. Under surface            at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple 65B. Upper surface fading            to: Near RHS Red-Purple 65B. Lower surface fading to: Near            RHS Red-Purple 65C.-   Sterile flower pedicel:    -   -   Angle.—About 70° from attachment.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Length.—2.7 cm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Texture.—Irregularly verrucate.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 65A.-   Fertile flower:    -   -   Bud shape.—Orbicular and lobed.        -   Bud length.—4.5 mm.        -   Bud diameter.—5.8 mm.        -   Bud color.—Near RHS Green 142D flushed Red-Purple 67D.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright and outwardly facing.        -   Flower shape.—Round, somewhat star-shaped.        -   Flower length.—1.0 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Flower depth.—8 mm.        -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.-   Fertile flower petals:    -   -   Length of petal.—5.0 mm.        -   Width of petal.—2.5 mm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Shape of petal.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal arrangement.—Whorl.        -   Petal number.—6.        -   Petal base.—Truncate.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, glabrous, upper and under side.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Ranging from            Red-Purple 65D, through 65A, colors present together as a            spectrum over petal. Upper surface at maturity: Near            Red-Purple 73A. Under surface at first opening: Ranging from            Red-Purple 65D, through 65A, overlaying Greyed-Green 195D.            Under surface at maturity: Near Red-Purple 73D. Upper            surface fading to: Near RHS Near Red-Purple 73A. Lower            surface fading to: Near Red-Purple 73D.-   Fertile flower sepal:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Number.—5 to 7.        -   Shape.—Wide deltate.        -   Tip.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—1 mm.        -   Width.—0.75 mm.        -   Texture, upper.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green            149D. Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149D.            Under surface at first opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149D.            Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Red-Purple 65B. Upper            surface fading to: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149D. Lower surface            fading to: Near RHS Yellow-Green 149D.-   Fertile flower pedicel:    -   -   Angle.—Range of 40-80° from attachment.        -   Strength.—Moderate.        -   Length.—4.1 mm.        -   Width.—0.5 mm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-green 149D flushed Greyed-Purple            187C.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Sterile flower:    -   -   Stamen number.—8.        -   Filament length.—1.5 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Green 138D.        -   Anther shape.—Obcordate, lopsided apex.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 149B.        -   Anther length.—1.5 mm.        -   Pollen amount.—Not present.        -   Gynoecium.—Yes.        -   Pistil number.—4.        -   Pistil length.—2 mm.        -   Stigma shape.—Capitate.        -   Style length.—1.5 mm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 196D.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.-   Fertile flower:    -   -   Stamen number.—14 to 17.        -   Filament length.—4.5 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 65B.        -   Anther shape.—Liner.        -   Anther length.—0.75 mm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple N187C.        -   Pollen amount.—Moderate.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS White 155B.        -   Pistil number.—7 to 10.        -   Pistil length.—1.6 mm.        -   Stigma shape.—Capitate.        -   Stigma color.—Near RHS White N155C.        -   Style length.—1.0 mm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 65B.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 65B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Cold tolerance: −32° C. to 36° C.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plantnamed ‘SMHSMAKF2’ as herein illustrated and described.